Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 18:04:03 -0500
From: PFLAG Communications
Subject: PFLAG Press Release: APA Condemns 'Reparative' Therapy
*** PFLAG PRESS RELEASE ***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Janice Hughes
December 14, 1998 202/638-4200 Ext. 225
Family Group Lauds American Psychiatric Association's Condemnation of
'Reparative' Therapy
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) praises
the American Psychiatric Association (APA) for its recent adoption of a
resolution opposing the practice of "reparative" or "conversion" therapy
designed to change a gay, lesbian or bisexual persons' sexual orientation.
"We applaud the APA for joining other major professional
organizations in taking a stand against this harmful practice, " said
Kirsten Kingdon, PFLAG Executive Director. "Many PFLAG members have seen
first-hand the damage that can come from trying to change a person's sexual
orientation."
The APA, which removed homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973,
stresses that there is no scientific evidence that so-called "reparative"
therapy is effective in converting gays and lesbians to heterosexuals. In
a statement approved unanimously on December 11, the APA opposes any
psychiatric treatment "which is based upon the assumption that
homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon a prior assumption
that the patient should change his/her sexual orientation."
"It's plain and simple -- our gay, lesbian and bisexual loved
ones do not need to be 'cured.'"Kingdon said.
"We can understand that parents might want their children to
conform to society's expectations. At times, many PFLAG parents have felt
the same way. We've learned, however, that this desire to change our
children is in response to the negative stereotypes of lesbian, gay and
bisexual people in our communities," Kingdon continued. "Rather than try to
change our children, we have chosen to change our attitudes."
The APA, the American Psychological Association, the National
Association of Social Workers and the American Academy of Pediatrics have
all made statements against the conversion of gays and lesbians because of
concerns for the real harm that it can cause.
###
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the
health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons,
their families and friends through: support, education, and advocacy, to
end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. PFLAG provides an
opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and
acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.
Serving more than 75,000 members, PFLAG affiliates are located in more than
425 communities across the United States and abroad.
1101 14th Street, NW Suite 1030 Washington, D.C. 20005 * (202) 638-4200 *
Fax: (202) 638-0243
E-mail: info@pflag.org * Web: http://www.pflag.org
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